More Exciting Free Things to do in Adelaide
There can never be enough free things to do, and school holidays brings its own challenges of how to keep kids happily occupied. Or even just yourself.

Looking for fun in the school holidays?
I've pulled together quite a list. But feel free to add more in the comments if you think I have missed something special.

Don't stress over holidays
For simplicity I have split them all into categories.
Activities in parks and reservesAdelaide has a huge number of parks and reserves that are perfect for activities - with or without kids.
Warrawong wildlife park is free to visit, and you can spot a range of native animals wandering freely around. By comparison, take the family to Cleland wildlife park and it will set you back at least $50.
Head to Scott Creek Conservation Park and visit a
silver mine or an
early settler's cottage. Or simply get lost in the enormous park, the only sound being the wind in the trees, an occasional bird, and your kids yelling as they chase one another through the scrub.

Beautiful Vistas in Scott Creek Conservation Park
If you enjoy bike riding, explore the trails in
Shepherds Hill Reserve, take a ride along the
River Torrens linear park as many other families do every weekend. If you get to West Beach you will find even more new paths to explore along the esplanade.
Or use a
free loan bike to explore the city. There are great places to go around Adelaide Zoo, the Botanic Gardens, and East Terrace.
Visit a historic house like
Carrick Hill, with its beautiful gardens and bushland trails. There is a charge to go inside the house though. Explore one of the many
bushland reserves in the foothills, or find all the free attractions in
Morialta Conservation Park.

Spectacular Morialta Conservation Park
If you're not quite so energetic, how about feeding the ducks at
Warriparinga Wetlands,
Apex Park at West Beach, or on the River Torrens.
Exhibitions and museumsI'm going to start here with an old faithful, the free
South Australian Museum which constantly updates its collections and displays. The
Migration Museum,
Art Gallery and the
National Wine Centre are all free to visit.
Tandanya Cultural Institute is a little off the beaten track, and easily missed. But don't miss its colourful (and free) display of beautiful indigenous art.
Another place for art lovers is the
Experimental Art Foundation in the Lion Arts Centre on North Terrace.
Just out of the city you can find the
Army Museum at Keswick. It has loads of Army related things on offer, including weapons, books, and a vehicle restoration area. A coin donation may be required for entry.
If you are near Glenelg, call in at the
Bay Discovery Centre to learn about the cultural history of Holdfast Bay (gold coin donation requested).

Shopping at The Bay
Many other Councils also have their own free museums, like
Unley and
Mitcham. Check your local Council's website.
And if you are holidaying or travelling through the country, remember that most towns proudly display their own history in a local museum, and entry is usually free (or next to nothing).
Walks
Take a walk in
Adelaide's CBD or
on the edge.

Picturesque Veale Gardens in the South Parklands
Stroll in the South Parklands, and visit tranquil
Himeji Gardens.
Many areas have their own local walks mapped out - for example Mitcham Council has a great series of free
Heritage Walks or
Trails in bushland settings. Check your own council website to see what is listed there - after all, you've already paid for these activities to be developed.

Mitcham Council Trails for Pedestrians, Cyclists & Horses
Libraries
Visit a library, borrow a book, some music or a DVD. Some libraries even lend toys. too. Check your council website for
school holiday activities. Research your family history - most libraries have a selection of resources for this.

You can Find Libraries Almost Anywhere
A recent
One Card initiative means you won't be restricted to your local library any longer - one card enables you to borrow from other libraries without fuss.
Do a home energy audit by borrowing a
Home Energy Toolkit free from any library. With power bills increasing this is a great way to spend some time and save yourself some money!

Visit a Secondhand Bookshop for Cheap Books & Music
And if you prefer to keep your books after reading them, a few dollars go a long way at a
secondhand bookshop. And you are supporting charity too.
Sports and playgrounds
Dig out the footy, soccer, cricket, or basket ball and use the facilities in your
local park for a game. There are often playgrounds for younger kids adjacent to most sports fields, sometimes with BBQ facilities as well.

Find the Right Playground for Your Kids
Not quite a sport, but you can play
giant chess for free in the city.
Kids love a day at the beach - even in winter they can find some fun, whether it be throwing a frisbee, playing cricket or volleyball, exercising the family dog, or having an ice cream. And there's less chance of sunburn when the weather is cooler.
Probably the best playground in SA is at
St Kilda, with a great range of free things for active kids (or adults) to do. There is a nearby
Tram Museum too, if the budget can be stretched.

Clarence Gardens Bowling Club Welcomes New Members
Many Lawn Bowls clubs are keen for new members, and regularly offer a Try Bowls day for free. Check with your local club - you will be surprised how many young people have taken up the sport.
Shopping and markets
There are no shortage of
markets listed on Weekend Notes. Two of my favourites are the
Gepps Cross and
The Original Open Market. If you need some tips on negotiating the right price, read on
here.

Markets Are Fun For All
If it's a bit cold for an outdoor market, try
Myponga Market, the
Marion Art & Craft market or the
Lions Market.
But if you're looking on a weekday when most are closed, I would recommend
The Brickworks Markets

Choose Your Market Well and Find Anything
Remember too that many shopping centres offer attractions to lure you in during the school holidays.
Elizabeth and
Rundle Mall are just two of the centres with holiday activities. Of course Ikea isn't far behind, with a school holiday
Treasure Hunt.